Human genetic modification is the process through which medical personnel and scientist alter the genetic makeup or the DNA of a person (Clapper 1). This modification is achieved either through the addition of some genes or removal of others. The addition of genes is achieved through a carrier which can be a virus. The addition can either be to the somatic cells or to the germ cells. In somatic cells, added genes alter the genetic makeup of the body while in germ cells, alteration is to the reproductive cells. Genetic modifications have been widely exercised in plants. However, the exercise is limited in humans due to ethical issues. With genetic modification, the evolution of new beings that are stronger and disease-free can be enhanced. However, one concern surrounding the practice is that it would upset the balance of life. Genetic modification should not be carried out, as it violates the ethics of humans. One of the major reasons why genetic modification should not be accepted is that it is morally wrong. God created all of us, and by modifying someone, we are messing with God’s plan. Another reason is that genetic modification is not safe (Scott). There are no safe parameters that can guarantee the safety of a person if their DNA is interfered with. Alterations of the genes can further trigger harmful physiological reactions that may disrupt the functioning genes. Disruption of the genetic makeup can lead to mutations that can either aggravate the condition that is being rectified or can even be lethal. Another reason is that one cannot say with certainty which genetic traits are beneficial and which ones are harmful. Many genetic conditions are caused by multiple genes which can be defective. In some environments, those g... ... middle of paper ... ... can be achieved through somatic and germ cell modification. Somatic modification involves changing cells in the body. However, germ cell modification is more sensitive as it involves changing the genetic makeup of the fetus. Despite the medical advantages, genetic modification should not be accepted. The first reason is that it is against human ethics. Babies have no decision on whether their genetic makeup should be altered which is a violation of their human rights. Genetic modification is also against some religions and moral teachings. Some religions teach that God created us in his image and thus, by altering with his creation we also tamper with our identity to him. Human genetic modification will induce human selection which will lead to evolution of humans with given traits, and other traits will be lost with the death of those people who were not selected.
Human characteristics have evolved all throughout history and have been manipulated on a global scale through the use of science and technology. Genetic modification is one such process in which contemporary biotechnology techniques are employed to develop specific human characteristics. Despite this, there are a countless number of negative issues related with genetic modification including discrimination, ethical issues and corruption. Hence, genetic modification should not be used to enhance human characteristics.
Genetic engineering, sometimes called genetic modification, is the process to alter the structure and nature of genes in humans, plants, and animals (what is genetic engineering). Because DNA is a code that is universal, genes can be manipulated
Human genetic engineering (HGE), a prevalent topic for scientists in research, is the process of manipulating genes in the human genome. Potentially, scientists can use the process of HGE to alter many biological and psychological human traits by gene modification. Currently, however, there is a large deficiency in information regarding HGE and its effects to the human body; creating a need for scientists to conduct more research and tests. Because of the many unknowns involving HGE it is necessary for policy makers to regulate HGE for the use by scientists. The first part of this paper will provide an overview of what HGE is and the processes involved with the technology of HGE. This paper will then analyze the potential risks associated with HGE, which include: safety risks and a potential threat to genetic diversity causing a decrease to the human life span. Furthermore, it will argue that these risks are directly linked to the use of HGE for individual benefit. Counter to these claims this paper will also consider the benefits of HGE, which are connected to the use of HGE for the benefit of the collective. The potential benefits include: the manipulation of genes to treat or cure diseases, and the potential increase to the human population life span through an increase in genetic diversity. The last part of the paper will assess the future of HGE and suggest that more research is needed to increase the knowledge of the possibilities of HGE, as well as the types of policies that should be put in effect by policy makers to control the use of HGE. All of these claims will use the support of two reference articles, the first written by Russell Powell, Guy Kahane and Julian Savulescu and the second written by Chris Gyngell. Powell ...
In this reference, an understanding of Genetic Modification was acquired. Comprehending the goals of each process and how the process is carried out allowed the ethical standpoints on this topic to be understood.
Genetic engineering is a broad term referring to the alteration of an organism's genes in order to remove unwanted characteristics of the organism or to add desirable characteristics (Levine). Genetic engineering has been applied to plants and animals for greater and more efficient food production ever since the agricultural revolution. It is also used on humans in the medical industry. Genetic engineering techniques are used to identify and treat certain diseases as well as aid doctors in creating custom made drugs for specific patients (Gorman 81). While the applications of genetic engineering on humans is currently limited, genetic engineering has the potential to eventually be able to treat virtually every disease.
In conclusion, genetic engineering in humans is a highly controversial topic of discussion. It theoretically has the potential to extend life spans, eliminate genetic disease, and create designer babies. However, much of these processes are purely based on theory as genetic engineering in humans is a relatively untested area of science. The moral and ethical issues that arise in discussion on the topic prove exceeding difficult to resolve, due to the evenly weighted pros and cons, both possessing valid perspectives. It is doubtful that there will ever be agreement, due to the high level of dispute, but we can’t yet give up on the idea, as it offers hope for the future that no other medical treatment can.
It was not that long ago that there was an age of no internet or computers. Life around the world has changed dramatically in the past thirty years. Technology has advanced at faster rate than ever before. We now know about many new things including humans including our DNA. It seems as though, the more we learn about the make up of our bodies, the more we are learning how to manipulate them. Do we want to let science take over our natural way of life? Russell Powell of the Journal of Medicine & Philosophy agrees that there is a common worry that humans could be harmed by genetic engineering of humans. The problem, Powell says, could potentially lead to the extinction of human life. By reducing human genetic diversity, we could end up with a biological monoculture that may increase our susceptibility to deadly diseases.
Genetic engineering is the set of techniques used to manipulate and modify the genetic material of living beings that have been the key to the rapid development of modern biotechnology. Recombination mechanisms provide limited genetic exchange. Mankind has spent his life correcting the habits of nature to make it to his liking, so that it would be more helpful; Mankind has transformed plants to make them more useful for their crops, has domesticated animals so that they could help them with the tasks of the field. In short, that man has modeled the nature around him to the point that can frighten us and everything. Mankind uses the universality of the genetic code and the mechanisms of protein synthesis of living things, in order to try the controlled combination of DNA of different species. The great advances in knowledge are beginning to allow genetic manipulation of human beings to eliminate hereditary illnesses or perhaps in the not so distant future to modify the human species. And of course at this horizon appear from various sectors multitude of voices appealing to an ethereal ethics warn us of the terrible dangers to modify our "sacred" DNA but why do not we do it?
Genetic engineering will never be as safe as natural reproduction because there are simply too many negative ramifications (Green 2007). Talking about genetic modification Stuart Newman, a professor at the New York Medical College, says, “All scientists know that when you do a biological experiment it sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t. If it works 70-80% of the time you are really lucky” (McKibben 2003). Genetic modification is especially risky because it is difficult to predict the outcome when scientists are working with a structure made of many different parts, all of which interact with each other. The smallest mistake could be disastrous to a person’s entire body because nature has created our bodies to work together as a whole (Tudge
Imagine a future where everyone is perfect. Where no one is judged for being ugly because everyone is beautiful and flawless, where each individual is gifted in a specific category and they excel and go beyond what an average mundane could. This is a possible scene we may encounter in the future if we allow the research of genetically- modified embryos or better yet GM babies to continue. It is a topic that has been discussed for quite some time. For some people this interests them in the sense that we can become the best versions of ourselves, simply by changing our genes. Not only that but we can also find paths that can lead to cure certain diseases and keep future generations from inheriting them. The idea seems appealing to many but there are disadvantage people question regarding the topic of genetic modification. Some ask if it is ethical to
Human genetic engineering can provide humanity with the capability to construct “designer babies” as well as cure multiple hereditary diseases. This can be accomplished by changing a human’s genotype to produce a desired phenotype. The outcome could cure both birth defects and hereditary diseases such as cancer and AIDS. Human genetic engineering can also allow mankind to permanently remove a mutated gene through embryo screening as well as allow parents to choose the desired traits for their children. Negative outcomes of this technology may include the transmission of harmful diseases and the production of genetic mutations. The benefits of human genetic engineering outweigh the risks by providing mankind with cures to multiple deadly diseases.
Instead of spending time and money on figuring out ways to change genes scientist should put the same effort in to figuring out cures for people with illnesses. But also comes down to the fact that one to the other thing without suffering there is no such compassion. Honestly, that might sound cruel and harmful but that’s the cold heart truth. In addition, human gene modification is so wrong to the point that. If a person does not want the genes it came with naturally. They start nit picking and choosing what is more appealing to that person. Then aborting babies will start being a thing. People will not get what they want from the babies.
...s who would have otherwise inherited traits for genetic illnesses, that particular illness could be stopped. It would also allow parents to have healthy children related to the both of them. Although a social divide is very possible and a great risk, the future cannot be predicted and it is not certain that inequality and social problems will occur. However, since genetic modification is not available today nor will be in the very near future, it is not possible to know all of the possible effects of it. To even make designer babies possible, scientists still need to find ways that will ensure the genetically modified embryos do even so much as survive after the modification. Even if it were possible, there are many unavoidable side effects we have not yet encountered. For this reason, genetic modification is not something we should strive towards as a society today.
Human genetic engineering is a technique of direct modification of the genome by the use of molecular engineering. In the recent developments, gene modification is referred to as gene editing, and it can be applied in various ways. Such ways may include germline genetic modification and somatic genetic modification. In somatic gene modification, the genes in the cells of a person are either cut, added, or changed with the aim of reducing the chances of a medical condition. Germline genetic modification involves changing the genes within a sperm, egg, or an early embryo. This technique may be referred to as “inheritable genetic modification” or “editing of genes for production”.
Great medical discoveries pertaining to genetic modification are being made regularly and scientists are discovering new ways in which genetic engineering could be used to update certain medical procedures in the future. Complicated procedures such as organ transplantation have been made more successful with the use of genetic modification. Lab-grown bladders, windpipes, blood vessels and skin are some examples of organic matter that have been successfully grown with human cells and transplanted into human patients. The demand that the human population has on donor organs far exceeds the number of organs available for transplant. Genetic modification is the solution to this problem, in that, the advances being made in therapeutic medicine will save millions of lives in the future. Now that it is possible to alter the genes of an organis...